Vulnerability - a ticket into freedom
- Ganga Cording
- 04. 11. 2020
Caiaimage/Andy Roberts | Credit: Getty Images/Caiaimage
Vulnerability is a ticket into freedom. It is all but weakness – the most common misunderstanding. Only if I gather the courage to really take note of what is going on inside without bringing 'the other' in will I lay the foundation for a fruitful and sensible communication later on. But if the focus is on stuff like 'What will others think of me? 'Will I make fool of myself?' 'Will I look needy, greedy, weak, lustful, un-together, egoistic, having no compassion?', I get lost in image and social norms and deprive myself of the possibility to become aware, to welcome, love and embrace what is inside. Focusing on the other will raise fears not consciousness.
Therefore first things first: the first step is being vulnerable to myself, to open up to whatever is there and welcoming all of it without judging it. Then the next step is to show this to others if I choose to do so in an adequate way.
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"First things first: the first step is being vulnerable to myself, to open up to whatever is there and welcoming all of it without judging it."
There is freedom in looking in and freedom in expressing myself to others. There is no right or wrong. One moment I might express it all, the next wait, the next decide not to express anything.
In any case it is recommendable to use 'I, me' language and not 'you you' language – commonly used to hide behind pleasing or accusing the other. To express directly what I feel and need is definitely more exposing.
With a little practice the benefits become obvious though. There is more self-dignity and self-empowerment, more alive and real connection with others, more love and joy.
Ganga Cording is trained in Rogerian psychotherapy, psychoanalytical group therapy and specialized in clinical psychology.
Long trips to the East in the early 70s provided first experiences in meditation, in Vipassana groups in Thailand.
She has facilitated hudreds of meditation retreats worldwide since 1977, and in 2007. founded Academy of Awareness and Creative Expression, as harvest of her work and rich life experience.
Since 1975. a disciple of Indian Mystic Osho.